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Happy as a Pig in Waller

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Happy as a Pig in Waller" means extremely happy or content - a colorful simile rooted in farm life and the regional word "waller" for "wallow."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #TravelandLocation   #Southern   #FarmTalk

Pronunciation

[HAP-ee az a PIG in WAH-ler] /ˈhæpi əz ə pɪɡ ɪn ˈwɑlər/

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely happy or content (simile)

Everyday speech
Pearl:
He’s got his new boat?

Jeb:
Yep - and he’s happy as a pig in waller about it.

variations: happy as a pig in wallow
★ Southern and Appalachian English loves similes tied to everyday rural life. "Waller" is the regional pronunciation of "wallow," so pairing it with a pig automatically creates a vivid, homey mental picture. ★

Origin

Draws from the age-old image of pigs rolling in mud to stay cool and content. "Waller" instead of "wallow" is documented in Southern/Appalachian dialects since the 19th century, making this simile distinctively regional.

Notes

Still widely heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it’s usually understood as "happy as a pig in mud" but sounds more colorful and folksy with "waller."

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "Happy as a pig in a waller" - "waller" instead of "wallow," often said with a grin or in a teasing way.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "waller" mean "wallow"?
Yes - "waller" is the regional form.
Is "happy as a pig in waller" still used today?
Yes - especially among older speakers, storytellers, and in humorous writing.
Can I say "happy as a hog in waller"?
Absolutely - hog or pig both work.
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